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NEWS

Dover Police Dept. invites input as it seeks accreditation

Staff Report

DOVER – The public is being invited to provide comments to an accreditation assessment team that will examine the police department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services.

“Verification by the team that the Dover Police Department meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” town Chief Harold “Butch” Valentine said in a release.

A team of accreditation assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will be at headquarters on April 19 to examine all aspects of the department.

As part of the final on-site assessment, employees and members of the public are invited to provide comments to the team by telephone or through email. Telephone comments by calling 973-366-5095 may be made on April 20 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to young@doverpolicenj.org.

Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the Association of Chiefs of Police standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Dover Police Department, 37 North Sussex St., Dover, NJ 07801, or by contacting Lt. Barry Young at 973-366-2200, ext. 4144.

Anyone who wants to submit comments about the Police Department’s ability to comply with the accreditation standards may email Harry J. Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager, hdelgado@njsacop.org; or call 856-988-5880.

The Dover Police Department must comply with 100 standards in order to achieve accredited status.

Valentine said: “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”

Delgado, who serves as accreditation program manager for the state Association of Chiefs of Police, said: “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”

Accreditation is valid for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it initially was accredited.